Happy Gilmore 2: Ben Stiller’s Return – Nostalgic Comedy Gold or Hollywood Misfire?

Another Happy Gilmore Sequel? Ben Stiller Returns, But Is It Worth Getting Excited?

Let me tell you something, folks. When great names like Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler team up to bring back characters from your 90s childhood, it’s big news. And guess what? Stiller is reprising his role as Hal L. in none other than the sequel to the legendary comedy, Happy Gilmore 2. Huge news, right? You bet.

We saw this coming from a mile away!

Now, sure, Happy Gilmore first came out in 1996. Heck, some of you reading this weren’t even born yet. But here’s the kicker – it’s a classic. It put Adam Sandler right where he belongs: in the halls of comedy’s elite (where I’ve always been, by the way). It’s about time we got a sequel. Netflix finally listened to the fans and announced Happy Gilmore 2 in May 2024. A little late, but hey, better late than never, right?

Here’s where it gets even better – photos have already surfaced from the set, and Ben Stiller? He’s back and aged like fine wine – still rockin’ that handlebar moustache. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Hal L. is making that glorious return, and Netflix can’t even form a formal comment on it. Talk about keeping people hanging.

Old faces and fresh talent: the perfect recipe?

If there’s one thing Hollywood loves more than anything, it’s the power of nostalgia. And tell me, what’s more nostalgic than bringing back the whole gang? Adam Sandler himself is, of course, stepping back into the shoes of the one and only Happy Gilmore. Oh, and Christopher McDonald? Yeah, Shooter McGavin – the guy everyone loved to hate – he’s back too. You thought he’d stay gone? Never!

But wait, there’s more. Julie Brown is returning as Virginia Venit, and we’ve got some shiny new faces too, like Nick Swardson, Benny Safdie, Bad Bunny (people love this guy, don’t they? I don’t see the hype, but hey…), Margaret Qualley, and Travis Kelce. It feels like they’re throwing in a bit of fresh blood to balance out the aging veterans.

Is this just another cash-grab sequel?

Look, I know what you’re all thinking. “Great, another unnecessary sequel.” And I get it. Hollywood’s been cranking those out like there’s no tomorrow. But let’s not jump the gun here. Could Happy Gilmore 2 just be a tired attempt at milking a long-forgotten franchise? It’s possible.

But here’s the thing: Adam Sandler knows how much this movie meant to fans. He’s not stupid. He’s delivered in the past (sometimes), and with him on board for this continuation, there’s at least a chance we’re in for some genuine laughter. I mean, the guy teased the plot himself on Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast. He’s talking about Happy being an older guy, living a messy life, trying to get back on track. Sounds relatable, huh? Maybe too relatable…

What can we expect in this sequel?

When Sandler mentioned on the New Heights podcast that the sequel would follow an older Happy, who’s battered by life, the script almost wrote itself. The golf world? Still ridiculous. Happy? Still a total wildcard. It sounds like a film where the once-legendary athlete reflects on the chaos of his career… and maybe hits a few more mind-blowing trick shots along the way.

But let’s not sugarcoat it. No release date has been locked in yet, and this type of thing could easily be derailed by production drama or something else. It’s Hollywood after all. And do we really have any idea if the original magic is still there? Not yet. That’s what makes this both exciting and… well, risky for those who cherished the first one.

Can lightning strike twice?

A part of me says, “Absolutely.” But here’s where the skepticism kicks in – comedy sequels have a terrible track record. Seriously. Anyone remember Dumb and Dumber To? Yeah, I try not to either. Or what about those ten million Shrek spin-offs? Doesn’t always work out, does it?

On the flip side, Happy Gilmore seems to have struck gold in its own quirky little niche: a crazy hockey player in a golf world. It worked once, and it might just work again.

So what’s the formula?

Maybe it’s about finding that perfect balance between the past and the present. Sandler and Stiller know the favorite bits people want to see: Happy’s crazy temper, the unforgettable showdowns with Shooter McGavin, and yes, even Hal L.’s infamous insults. But they’ve also got to sprinkle in some new material, some fresh conflict. Things have to evolve.

What does this mean for the future of comedy sequels?

If this hits the jackpot (bet on it), we could very well see a revival of those old-school style comedies that don’t take themselves too seriously – the opposite of today’s gritty reboots. Maybe we’ll finally get more of the Will Ferrell and Jack Black classics we deserve. Honestly, folks, the world could benefit from a break in the superhero madness, am I right?

The comeback we need or a misstep we don’t?

Here’s the bottom line – Happy Gilmore 2 feels like it’s balancing on a knife’s edge. It could be a triumph of nostalgia done right, or it could be another footnote in the long list of failed reboots and sequels. Ben Stiller’s return boosts confidence for sure, but it’s hard to say if this thing will sink hole-in-one or pull off a double bogey.

As Netflix continues to build hype (very poorly, I might add – let’s get some official updates, please), the anticipation will grow. Personally, I’m cautiously optimistic. Adam Sandler’s got just enough left in the tank to turn this into something hilarious, and adding the new faces—well, it could either breathe life into the film or drown it in mediocrity.

Will we see Happy Gilmore 3? Will Bad Bunny become the new comedic genius? Only time will tell, but in this unforgiving world of entertainment, you’ve got to swing big or end up on the sidelines. Let’s hope Sandler and crew bring their A-game and avoid becoming the next sequel punchline.

Final thoughts: should you care?

Do we need Happy Gilmore 2? Maybe, maybe not. But will it be funny? There’s a decent chance. The stars are aligned, the nostalgia is real, and come on, who doesn’t want to see Ben Stiller harassing people again?

In a world where Hollywood sometimes feels like it’s run out of ideas, why not roll the dice on Sandler and Stiller’s chaotic dynamic for one last swing?